Subscribe to the Burke County Tribune, by calling 701-377-2626 or e-mailing to tribune@nccray.netSunday, August 02, 2015

Building Permit
for Oil Refinery
Near Columbus Tabled

The Burke County Planning and Zoning Commission, along with the county commissioners, representatives from Basin Global/Stampede, states attorney, emergency manager, and other interested individuals attended a public hearing, Tuesday, July 21, for Ash Inc., out of Simi Valley, CA, for an oil refinery south of Columbus on Hwy. 40.

Those in attendance left with more questions than answers.

Ash Inc. submitted an application to the Planning and Zoning Council to change the zoning in Fay Township from agricultural to industrial for an oil refinery.

The 640 acres of land (SW1/2S19 and NW1/2 S20, T162NR93W) was previously a coal mine.

Bret Wolz and Albert Howell of Ash Inc. explained the refinery capacity would be 20,000 barrels a day, mostly being diesel, with the finished product leaving the facility by rail. They anticipate 40 to 50 trucks a day.

In It for the Long Haul
Hysjuliens purchase 109 Steakhouse & BarBY LYANN OLSON

Jason and Marsha Hysjulien recently purchased the 109 Steakhouse and Bar in Lignite from Laurie and Maureen Chrest, opening July 2.

The Hysjuliens have returned home as Jason is a graduate of Burke Central School and Marsha, a Powers Lake graduate.
“It’s good to be back in Lignite,” said Jason. “It’s a great area, and even greater people.”

The couple is not new to the restaurant business as Jason worked in the Lignite Lanes when his parents, Danny and Bernie owned the business and also in the cafe in Columbus. Marsha was employed at the Hacienda at one time, too.

“The community support in this area has always been great. We look forward to your continued patronage and will in return provide you with an establishment this county can be proud of,” stated Jason.

The Hysjuliens have two daughters, Sierra (24) and Shelby (21) and a son, Toby (17). They are also very happy to be grandparents to McKenna (2-1/2).

A schedule of events filled with loads of activities for Powers Lake Days have been set for Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1.

The Burke County Historical Site will be open during Powers Lake Days–Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Sidewalk sales and business specials will be all day, Friday, July 31. Vendors will also be on Main Street from noon until 5:00 p.m. To register as a vendor, there is a fee of $25. Sign up at the Country Store, 464-5434

The annual customer appreciation supper sponsored by Powers Lake Elevator Company will be in Lake Park from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 1 is chuck full of activities for the entire family.
Be sure to check out the sidewalk sales, business specials and vendors on Main Street.

Start the morning off at 9:00 a.m. by participating in the first annual 5K or 1Mile Color Run/Walk. Registration is from 8:00-8:45 a.m. at Windmill Park. Be sure to wear a white shirt and plan to get colorful! The $20 registration fee will go to the Powers Lake School playground.

In my heart, I am a farmer – at least during the summer months when I’m outside tending my garden.

I love growing things. I enjoy the feel of moist black dirt between my fingers.

I get a sense of satisfaction when my seedlings sprout. I even take pleasure in the achy, sweaty feeling I get after a day spent outside moving dirt and pulling weeds – doing good work. Real, honest work in the garden with Mother Nature as my boss and my husband as my supervisor. (Not really, but I let him think so.)

But even though I truly dig gardening, I am not a farmer. Nor is my husband a farmer. I’m a writer who is sometimes a farmer at heart. Transoccupational would be the trendy term for it.

My husband and I are a pretty good team in the garden. I pull weeds. He hauls dirt. We express satisfaction with the height of the tomato plants and anticipate the first pea pods and squash blossoms. We marvel at the ever-vigorous growth of the indestructible, immortal mint.

Over the years we’ve learned growing things involves a never-ending learning curve. (There’s a parenting analogy in there for anyone who wants to harvest it.)

We’ve also learned that gardening success comes not only from what you plant, but where. Plants are social beings and garden relationships are key to a robust crop. You don’t have to be a farmer to reap the benefits of companion planting.

Strong smelling herbs like basil, dill and green onions protect tomatoes from insects and slugs. Beets like bush beans (but not pole beans). Corn likes cucumber. Nasturtium is an edible flower that deters bugs and aphids. Ditto that for marigolds. You can also eat pansies. They look pretty in a salad.

Some plants experience irreconcilable differences and do not make good neighbors. Cabbage and cauliflower prefer to stay away from one another. Beans don’t like garlic or onions. Lettuce and celery may both be green and crispy, but they don’t like growing in proximity to each other. Garden plants possess more (or less) social skills than I ever would have imagined.

Another interesting aspect of gardening is sex – most specifically (and literally) the birds and the bees. What I’m referring to is pollination, which in plant circles means S-E-X. Both birds and bees can pollinate, but bees are better known for this skill.

Garden plants produce flowers. Some plants develop male and female flowers, others are hermaphrodites; their flowers are twofers – male and female at the same time. For plants to produce fruit (most things in the garden, even tomatoes and cucumbers, are technically fruit) pollen from the male part of the plant must make its way to the female ovaries. Here’s where the birds and bees come in.

I don’t want to get all R-rated, but as bees collect nectar from flowers, pollen clings to their tiny bee feet. As they flit about the garden, the pollen is distributed to a female flower (or portion thereof) and the deed is done – pollination! Flower sex at its finest and it’s all made possible by busy bees (or in some cases butterflies, bats or even the wind). They flutter from bloom to bloom in search of nectar seemingly oblivious to the flora life cycle they are helping to perpetuate.

Summer’s in full bloom in my yard and my husband and I are busy bees ourselves with weeding and watering and – hopefully soon – harvesting.
We aren’t farmers, but you don’t have to be an official farmer to enjoy growing things. We started with kids and moved up to tomatoes and beans – if you consider that an advancement, which it probably isn’t. I guess that’s okay with us. It is summer. We are outside. And we are having fun pretending to be farmers together.

Feels pretty good to me.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She welcomes having readers follow her column on the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

(651) 264-1979 jepsen@msn.comDo you have a news tip or story idea? Call 1-800-377-2610 or 701-377-2626

The Bowbells Women Helping Others have been busy getting activities set for the annual Harvest Hoedown, Saturday, Aug. 1.

City-wide rummage sales will be held at various times. You can pick up a list at the Bowbells Cenex and Kenmare Cenex. As of Monday, July 27, eight rummage sales have registered. New this year is free items on the curb after 5:00 p.m.

The United Methodist Church is sponsoring a breakfast from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Rolls, fruit, juice and coffee will be served.

Northland Community Health Center is hosting a 5K Walk/ Run starting at 9:00 a.m. Meet at poolside in the Bowbells City Park. Please preregister by calling, 377-6400. A $10 entry free will be taken.

The WHO ladies will be serving an Emergency Services Appreciation Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Memorial Hall. Come out and show your support for the fire department and ambulance service. The meal is freewill.

A parade will take place at 1:30 p.m., marching down Washington Ave. (note change of venue). Lineup in the CHS SunPrairie parking lot.

Fun activities for the kids starts at 2:30 in the city park, and the adults are invited to the softball diamond for a co-ed kickball game.

Dacotah Bank will serve their annual community appreciation supper in the city park from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

The day concludes with a dance from 8:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., featuring “Musik Worx.” at The Joint. Brake Check Chuckwagon will be on site to satisfy any lingering hunger pains.

And don’t forget to check out the Sweet Spot, Ice Cream Truck located by Hotel anytime throughout the day.

The WHO ladies have worked hard to put together a day of fun for all. Be sure to take in the events to show your support and you’ll be sure to go home with smile on your face.

CAMP METIGOSHE DAY CAMP IN BOWBELLS

Camp Metigoshe Day Camp will be Aug. 3-7 for ages entering 1st-6th grade. Camp will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. All are welcome! Contact Kiara Crosby, 705-5583 to sign up.

VBS for preschool students ages 3 to entering kindergarten will also be Aug. 3-7 from 9:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church. Contact Lisa Aufforth, 721-6451 or Teri Nelson, 596-3809 to register.

METIGOSHE MINISTRIES BRINGS CAMPS TO LIGNITE & POWERS LAKE

Counselors from Camp Metigoshe will arrive at Christ Lutheran Church in Lignite (3rd Ave. & Grove St.) and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Powers Lake on Monday, Aug. 3 for a week of “Adventure Anchored in Christ” with young people entering grades 1 through 6.

The camps will meet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.
In Powers Lake, day camp will be held for children ages 4 to kindergarten from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

There is no cost for the camp, but a freewill offering will be taken to help defray the costs.